Gasoline-dispensing device



Sept. 16, 1930. J, NELSON ET AL. 197775,22@

ca'fAsoLnua:- DISPENSING DEvIcE Filed May 26, 1926 l 2 Sheets-Sheet l /a b Z CIJ Patented Sept. 16, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN NELSON AND LEON C. GADBOIS, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNORS TO BUTLER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, A CORPORA- TION OF MISSOURI GASOLINE-DISPENSING DEVICE Application filed May 26,

This invention relates to a dispensing apparatus for liquid, and particularly to such a dispensing apparatus including a pump now commonly used to dispense gasoline for automobiles. Such gasoline dispensing vdevices are now used in large numbers. It is a common practice at present to construct such devices with a bowl or container at the top into which the gasoline is pumped and from which it is dispensed and it is also a. common practice to provide such a bowl or container with a supplypipe and an overflow pipe. It is required in many States that when the device is inoperative, the bowl or container must be drained of the liquid. It is desirable, therefore, to lhave means insuring that the bowl will be drained. It is also desirable to have the device so constructed that when it is left in inoperative position that unauthorized parties will be unable to dispense gasoline therefrom.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide a very simple and efficient gas dis pensing apparatus.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such an apparatus having means insuring that the drain valve for the bowl will be operated when the device is placed in inoperative position.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide such a device having a pump with actuating means, together with means for preventing operation of said actuating means when the device is left in inoperative posi-k tion.

It is still further an object of the inven tion to provide such a device having a bowl or container at the top thereof, supported by means secured to a base member, said device being formed as a closed columnbetween said bowl and base member, which column has a door giving access to the interior thereof.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be fully set forth in the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of the de- 1926. serial No. 111,798.

vice, certain portions being broken away and other parts being shown in vertical section;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on line 2--2 of Fig. l as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 3 is ahorizontal section taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 1, as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 3 as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 5 `is a horizontal section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1, as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 6 isa view in front elevation of the device, certain parts being broken away and others shownk in vertical section;

Fig. 7 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section of a central portionvof the device; and

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the front of the device.

Referringto the drawings, a dispensing device is shown comprising a base member 10 having the flange 10a surrounding the same at the bottom thereof, and the upwardly eX- tending flange 10b. The flange 1()b is provided with corner portions adapted to receive therein the lower ends ofthe corner posts 11, and while these posts may be variously formed, in the embodiment ofthe invention illustrated they are shown as three-sided, having a shape in cross section substantially of three sides of a heXagon, as shown in Fig. 3. The corner posts 11 extend upwardly in slightly converging relation, and are receivedk at their upper ends'at the inner side of the bowl supporting member 12 having a top portion or plate 12i and a depending skirt or flange 12b. The portion 12b has corners formed to fit over the outer side of the posts 11 and said posts are connected to said corner portions by they headed and nutted bolts 13 which also pass through the spreader members 14, which,`in the embodiment of the invention illustrated, are' also shown as comprising angle members forming substantially three sides of a hexagon. The members 14 hold the sides of posts 11 outward against members 12 forming a very rigid structure. The plate 12a has spaced circular vertical flanges projecting therefrom at its upper side forming a circular groove 12c adapted to receive in its bottom a gasket member 15.v A

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cylindrical member 16 forming the sides `ot the liquid containing bowl or receptacle and which is preferably of glass or similar material, rests on the gasket 15. vWhile the member 16 may be variously formed, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated it is indicated as having helical lines etched therein with a clear space 16Lnt at the front side, which in practice has etched thereon numerals indicating the gallons contained in the member at diiier'ent heights. The member 16 at its upper end is engaged by the annular gasket 17 upon which rests the top member 18. The

top member 18 has plates 18f1 and 1v8cjat its bottom and a plurality of circumferentially spaced small tie-rods 19 extend between the plate 18c and` the outer portion of the flange 12a, thns holding the member 16 in place. The member 18 tapers towards its upper end and is provided with a groove 18b having a conical inner surface on which rests and fits the lower end of the globe 2O which may be of transparent or translucent material and in which a lamp bulb 21 is shown, which globe may if desired carry advertising or other inscriptions thereon. `rlhe globe 2O is held in place by screws LL passing through the outer flange oit groove 18h. rllhe lamp bulb 21 is carried in a socket 2Q of usual construction and this socket and those of bulbs 18d are carried on conduits 23 extending through member 18, one of which extends downwardly at one side ofthe member 16 to a suitable switch or outlet box (not shown) disposed within the angle members 11. The plate 18d has an air vent pipe le extending upwardly therefrom into member 18. Themember 12 has at one side a downwardly and laterally directed nozzle member 12d communicating with the upper side of the flange 12a and forming the discharge means A:tor the container 16.

The flange 12a is also apertured to have passedtherethrough andtightly fitted there-v in an overflow pipe 24 and a supply pipe 25. The overflow pipe 24 extends from a point adjacent the top of vmember 16 downwardly within the posts 11 to the bottom of the device where it is connected by a coupling member 26 to a rconduit extending tothe tank or other place of storage of the gasoline. The supply pipe extends downwardly within the four posts 11 and is connected at its lower end by the coupling 27 to the outlet of the pump member 28. The pump member 2S comprises two cylinders 28a having pistons reciprocable therein which are reciprocated in alternative relation by the oscillation of shaft Q9 actuated by an upwardly extending handle lever 30. The pump 28 is of well known type and need not be further described. Said pumphas a base member 28b having outwardly and downwardly extending flanges bolted to the supporting plates 3l which are in turn bolted or riveted to the inside of the flange 10b of the base member 10. rPhe base member 28h also has an inlet opening tor he pump connected by the coupling del to the inlet pipe 115 which will extend to the storage tank or other means for the gasoline. The pipes'24 and 25 are shown as connected immediately above the pump 28 by a coupling or brace member 32. rlhe flange 12a is also apertured to have passed therethrough and be Vfitted therein a drain pipe 33`wliich extends downwardly a shortvdistance and is connectedto a valve 34. The valve 341' is in turn connectedby a suitable coupling 35 to he overflow pipe 211. The valve 34 has an operating handle 3G and said valve is normally held in closed position by a spring 36 secured lto handle 26 and member 12 which spring also holds the handle 36 in upwardly directed position as shown in F ig. 7. The handle 3G is apertured to receive at its outer end the upper end of the rod 37 which extends downwardly and is connected to an intermediatepoint of the lever 38 pivoted at its inner` end to a lug 39 carried on a door frame 39 which trame is connected by'suitable bolts or rivets to a pair of the posts 11k at the front of the device. The lever 38 at its outer end is formed as a hollow frame portion 38a having a vertical aperture or passage therethrough, and while this frame portion mightv be variously 'shaped7 in the embodiment of the invention illustrated it is shown as rectangular and adapted substantially to fit over the upper end of the handle lever30 which is also rectangular in cross section. The portion of the lever 38 inward of the portion4 38n is of flat rectangular form in cross section with its long dimension disposed vertically. The member 38 is provided in the rear of the portion 38a with a horizontal hole 381i adapted to receive the bail of a padlock or other locking` means 40. The door frame 39 as shown in Figs. 6 and 8 is substantially rectangular in shape and has spaced lugs 39b at its top to ,which are Vpivoted and between which aredisposed the hinge lugs 41a of the door 411, adapted to fitfover the outside of the frame 39. he door ll has at its bottom central portion. va downwardly directed open ended slot 41h and this slot is of' a width and height adapted to fit over the inner portion of the lever 38 when the latter is in its lower position and the door is closed, the top of the slot at this time substantially contacting the top of said lever. The door 41 can be swung to upward and open position as shown in Fig. 7 and will remain by gravity in said position. The door L11 and the 'frame 39 at one side of the slot 41h are provided with registering semi-circular or semi-cylindrical flanges forming a circular or cylindrical spout and opening 11c adapted to receive and retain a flexible dispensing hose having a terminal nozzle (not shown) for the gasoline, which hose is connected at its other end to the discharge nozzle 12d. The space between the sides oi' the posts 11 is covered so that the space within the posts is closed by metal plates 42. These plates overlap the edges of the posts 11 and have their adjacent edges covered by the corner shields 43, as shown in Fig. 5.

In operation, when the device is in position for use, the door 41 will be opened as shown in Fig. 7 and the spring closing the valvev 34 will swing handle 36 upwardly together with lever 38. The door maybe returned to closed position and the column is thus closed andl lever 38 disposed therein. Lever 38 will thus be disposed inside of the corner posts 11 and the plates 42 as shown in Fig. 7. Thepump 28 can now be operated by oscillation oi the handle lever 30 to pump the gasoline from the storage tank through the supply pipe 25 into the vbowl member 16. When the gasoline reaches a certain height in said bowl, it will overflow through the overflow pipe 24 and through the same back to the storage tanlz. The valve 34 being closed, t-he gasoline will be retained in the bowl 16 and will be dispensed therefrom as desired through the hose and nozzle (not shown) usually connected to the discharge spout 12d. When it is desired to close up the station for the night, or at any time to render the device inoperative, the lever 38 will be pulled down manually tothe position shown in Figs. 1 and 8. rllhis will swing downward the lever 36 and open the valve 34 so that any gasoline remaining in the bowl will drain through the pipe 33 and valve 34 and through pipe 35 into the overflow pipe 24 and thus back to the sto-rage tanlr. The member so pulled down has its hollow portion 38aL at the front placed over the upper end of the handle lever 30. The 'door 41 is now swung downward and the slot 41b embraces the member 38. Said lever 38 is thus held in its downward position by the door. The lock 40 can now be applied through the hole 38? and locked. The column formed by posts 11 and plates 42is now closed and the parts therein are inaccessible. The pump 28 is rendered inoperative as the handle 30 is locked in central position and cannot be released until the member 38 is raised. The member 38 cannot be raised until the lock 40 is removed and the door 41 opened. Even if lever 30 be not engaged by lever 38, bowl 1G cannot be lilled as the drain is locked in open position and handle 30 can only be reciprocated a short distance. The dispensing` hose is placed in the passage 41c beiore the door 41 is closed and the nozzle therein is thus locked in stationary and inoperative position so that the same cannot be tampered with by unauthorized persons. The lamps 18d and 21 will be illuminated when desired by current furnished from any convenient and usual supply.

Vhen the liquid is supplied to the bowl 16 the air usually escapes or is vented down through the overow pipe 24 and through the vent pipe which is secured to the liquid or From the above description it is seen that applicant has provided a very simule and et icient dispensing apparatus. The parts are comparatively few, quite simple in construction and 'easily and conveniently assembled. A very simple, compact and rugged structure is provided. 'lhe device cannot be left in inoperative position and locked in such post tion without operating the drain valve, as it is necessary to pull down the member 38 in order to apply the padlock. rlhe device is at the Sametime readily and quicltly rendered operative when desired. rl`he device has been amply demonstrated in actual. prac'- tice and found to be very successful and eflicient, anc is being commercially made and sold.

lllhat is claimed is :k

1. lll. liquid dispensing device comprising a casing, a container, an overlow conduit efrtending into and terminating it the upper portion oi" sait. container, a harige pine communica ting with said con 1 ner, "supi Y j, pipe communieatingA with `aid container, means 'for supplying liquid to supply pipe, valve lmeans establishing commuri i tion betweensaid container and said o. flow conduit, means normally clos ,g valve means, manually operable means for opening` said valve means to drain said container including a n'nnber movable wi" said casing when said device is in opera position and means holding said las tioned member in position projecting said casing with said valve means open when said device is 1n inoperative position..

A liquid dispensing ap-,A aratus having in combination, a ca.J ng. a liquid centaine a supply pipe leading' thereto, means for snpplying liquid through said supply pipe to sai d container, a drain means for said contminer.A means normally/'closing said drain me t, means for opening said drain and a closure member 'for said casing having an aperture therethrough through which .said last mentioned means projects, era-operating with said last mentioned means to hold the same in position with said drain means open.

3. A liquid dispensing apparatus having in combination, a trame, a measuring vessel carried thereby, a. supply conduit communicantg lain ing with said vessel, a drain forsaid vessel, a valve for controlling said drain and a member manually movable to a position projecting outwardly of said frame for operating said valve to render said drain operative said member being movable to a position Within said casing When said drain is inoperative and means engaging said last men tioned member to hold the same in said lirst mentioned position with said drain valve open.

4. A liquid dispensing apparatus having in combination, a casing, a measuring vessel, a drain for said vessel, a valve controlling said drain, a member for manually operating said valve, to open said drain and projecting from said casing When said drain is open and a closure member for said casing adapted to co-operate With said last mentioned member and hold the same in position with said drain open.

5. A liquid dispensing apparatus having in combination, a casing, a movable door permitting access thereto, a liquid receiving receptacle, means for supplyingliquid to said receptacle, means for dispensing liquid from said receptacle, drain means having communication with said receptacle, an operating member for said drain means adapted to project 'from said casing and through said door when said drain means is in open position, said door co-operating with said last mentioned member when said door is closed to hold said member in position with said drain means in draining` position.

6. A gasoline dispensing device having in combination, a casing comprising spaced posts, a door trame secured to and extending between two of said posts and surrounding an opening in said casing, a liquid receptacle, a door hinged at the top of said frame, a lever operably associated With said receptacle for controlling the liquid therein having a loch receiving means for locking said door, said door having an opening therethrough through which said lever isradapted to project, With said means disposed at the outer side of said door.

7. A liquid dispensing apparatus having in combination, a frame comprising a closed structure and having a door opening, a door for closing said opening, a liquid container carried by said trame, means for supplying liquid to said container, a drain means for said container and a member operably connected to said drain means, said door having an opening` therethrough through which said member proj ects When the door is closed and the drain means is in draining position.

S. The structure set forth in claim 7, said member being movable to one position when said drain means is inoperative and to another position When said drain means is operative and being held in said last mentioned posit-ion to hold said drain means in operative position by said door When projecting through said door.

9. A liquiddispensing apparatus having in combination, a frame comprising a closed structure having a door opening, a door for closing said opening, a liquid` container, a drain means therefor, a pump for supplying liquid to said liquid container, an operating member for said pump anda member operably connected to said drain means, said door having an openingA therethrough through which e said last mentioned 'member is adapted toproject, said last mentioned member engaging said actuating memberfor said pump and hold the same in stationary position when projecting through said door..

10. A liquid dispensing apparatus lhaving iii-combination, a casing, a liquid receptacle carried thereby, means for supplying liquid to said receptacle including a pump, an operating member 'for said pump movable with the liquid propelling means of said pump, a drain means for said receptacle an operating member for said drain means projecting through said casing When the drain means is in operative position and engaging said pump actuating member to hold the same in fixed position.

il. The structure set forth in claim l0, said casing having a door through .which said operating member projects and being held in position by said door when projecting therethrough with the drain means open, said operating member being adapted to receive a locking means at the vexterior of said door when projecting therethrough whereby said door is locked in closed position and said actuating member is locked in iixed position.

l2. A liquid dispensing apparatus having in combination, a casing, a liquid receptacle carried thereby, means for `supplying liquid to said receptacle including a pump, an actuating member for said pump movable simultaneously With the liquid propelling means of said pump, a drain means for said receptacle, an operating member for said drain means associated With said casing and locked in position relative thereto when said drain means is open and said casing closed and when in locking position engaging said pump actuating member to hold the same in fixed position.

13. A liquid dispensing apparatus having in combination, a casing, a liquid receptacle carried thereby, means for supplying liquid to said receptacle including a pump, said casing having an opening therein, a door for closing said opening but having an'aperture therethrough, a drain means for said receptacle, an actuating member Jfor said pump, a lever for operating said drain means, said lever extending through said aperture and held in position by said door When said drain means is operative and said door is closed, and receiving a locking means at the exterior of said door to hold said door closed, said lever also being constructed and arranged to embrace said pump actuating member when extending through said aperture whereby said door is locked in closed position with said drain means operative, and said pump actuating member is locked in fixed position.

lil. A gasoline dispensing device having in combination, a fram-e comprising a casing, a liquid receptacle carried bysaid frame, means for supplying liquid to said receptacle, a closure for said casing, a member operably associated with said receptacle for controlling the liquid therein and projecting through said closure when the latter is closed, said member having means for receiving a lock at the exterior of said closure for holding said closure in closed position.

15. A gasoline dispensing device having in combination, a frame comprising a casing, a liquid receptacle carried by said frame, means for supplying liquid to said receptacle, a closure member for said casing, a drain means for said receptacle, a member for operating said drain means and movable to a position with said drain means operative, and having means for receiving a lock at the exterior of and adjacent said closure, said closure member when in closed position closely embracing said member and holding the same in position with said drain means operative whereby said closure and member may be locked in said position.

16. A gasoline dispensing device having in combination, a frame comprising a casing, a liquid receptacle carried thereby, means for supplying liquid to said receptacle including a pump, an actuating member for said pump, a movable member operably associated with said liquid receptacle for controlling the liquid therein, adapted in one position to project from said casing, said movable member when in said position engaging said actuating member for holding the same in fixed position.

17. The structure set forth in claim 16, a closure member for said casing adapted to engage said movable member when in said position to hold the same in said position and means for locking said closure member and said last mentioned member in said position.

18. A liquid dispensing device having in combination, a base member, a liquid bowl supporting member spaced vertically therefrom, a casing extending between said members and supporting said bowl supporting member, a pump for supplying liquid to said bowl, a supply pipe carried by said pump and members connected to each side of said pump respectively and to the inner side of said base member for supporting said pump and supply pipe.

in combination, a frame-,comprising a closedV structure-'and having a door opening therein, a dod for closing said opening, 'a liquid container/carried by said'fr'ame, means for suaal infr -lifuid to said container. a drainY D f means for said container, a member operably'connected to said drain means,.said door Y having an opening-through which said `last mentioned member is Aadapted to project when said drain is inoperative position and said door is closed, and Yautomatic means for moving said member to"'position to render said drain means inoperative when said door is open.

20. A liquiddispensing means having in combination, a frame comprising a casing having a door opening therein, a door for closing said opening, a liquid receptacle carried by said frame, means for supplying liquid to said receptacle, a drain means for said receptacle, a member for operating said drain means movable to a position within said casingvwith said drain means inoperative, and movable to a position projecting from said casing with said drain means operative, said door having an opening therein adapted to lit over said member when in said latter position with said door in closer position, said member having a means for receiving a lock adjacent the exterior of said door and in front of the opening in said door, whereby said door cannot be opened when said lock is in position and said member is held in its last mentioned position.

21. The structure set forth in claim 20, said means for supplying liquid including a pump, an actuating member for moving the liquid propelling portions of said pump, said member for operating said drain means having a portion embracing said last mentioned member and holding the same in stationary position whereby the same may be locked in stationary position.

22. A liquid dispensing apparatus having in combination a liquid receptacle, means for supplying liquid to said receptacle including a pump, a handle member for operating the liquid moving elements of said pump, a drain means for said receptacle, a manually operable member for said drainmeans movable to position with said drain means operative, said member being engageable over said handle and holding the same in fixed position when in said position.

23. A gasoline dispensing device having in combination, a base member, a casing upstanding from and supported at its lower end on said base member, a pair of spaced supports secured to said base member within said casing at opposite sides thereof and extending upwardly therefrom, a pump having a base member disposed above said base member secured at opposite sides respectively'to' said" supports; a; single discharge pipe v extending upwardly in' said casing `from said pump and asupply pipe extending through said-base member and secured to said bese y member of said pump between-said supports. y e Inf testimony whereof :We aX four: signa#- tures.

JOHN NELSON. Y LEON O. GADBOIS. 

